Getting From Newark to Atlanta, Georgia: Practical Guide for ATL Travelers

Planning a trip from Newark to Atlanta, Georgia—or expecting visitors to fly into Atlanta from Newark? Whether you live in Atlanta, are relocating here, or coordinating travel for business or family, it helps to understand your options and what to expect once you land in the city.

This guide focuses on how travel from Newark, New Jersey (EWR) connects to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) and what that means for someone navigating life, work, or tourism in Atlanta.

Newark to Atlanta: Your Main Travel Options

For most people coming from Newark to Atlanta, there are three realistic options:

1. Direct flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
2. Driving from Newark to Atlanta
3. Bus or rail combinations (less common, more time-consuming)

Because Atlanta is a major transportation hub, the most practical option for most travelers is flying.

Flying from Newark (EWR) to Atlanta (ATL)

Why flying makes the most sense for Atlanta-based travelers

For anyone who lives in Atlanta or expects regular visitors, the flight route from EWR to ATL is typically:

• Nonstop
• About 2–2.5 hours in the air
• Served multiple times a day by major airlines

This makes it easy to schedule:

• Business trips between Atlanta and the New York/Newark metro area
• Family visits when relatives live in New Jersey or nearby
• Weekend getaways between the two regions

If you live in or near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport area, flying is usually the fastest and least stressful option.

What to expect on arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s also designed to be efficiently connected to the rest of the city.

Key details that matter once your flight from Newark lands:

• Location:

  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • About 10–20 minutes by car from Downtown Atlanta (depending on traffic)

• Terminals & concourses:

  • One main Domestic Terminal (North and South)
  • Several concourses (A–T) connected by the Plane Train
  • Most Newark–Atlanta flights arrive on the domestic side, so there’s no customs when you arrive.

• Ground transportation options to get into Atlanta:

  • MARTA train (Red/Gold Line) from Airport Station
  • Rideshare pickups in designated areas (look for signs in Ground Transportation)
  • Taxis from the official taxi queue
  • Rental cars at the Rental Car Center, connected by the free SkyTrain

Fastest Ways From ATL to Key Atlanta Neighborhoods

Once you arrive from Newark, where you’re going in Atlanta will determine your best transit choice.

From ATL to Downtown Atlanta

Ideal for: Visitors staying near attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena, or the Georgia World Congress Center.

Best options:

• MARTA (recommended for simplicity):

  • Board the northbound Red or Gold Line at Airport Station
  • Ride about 15–20 minutes to Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Civic Center
  • Cost is typically lower than taxis or rideshare

• Taxi or rideshare:

  • Roughly 10–20 minutes in light-to-moderate traffic
  • Heavier traffic during rush hours (7–9 a.m., 4–7 p.m. weekdays)

From ATL to Midtown or Buckhead

Midtown Atlanta:

• By MARTA:
  • Take Red or Gold Line northbound
  • Get off at Midtown Station, North Avenue, or Arts Center
  • Good if you’re staying near Ponce City Market, Georgia Tech, or Peachtree Street in Midtown

Buckhead:

• By MARTA (Gold Line):

  • Continue northbound and exit at Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, or Buckhead stations
  • Useful for visitors staying near Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza

• By car/rideshare:

  • Expect more variability due to traffic along I‑85 or GA‑400

From ATL to the Suburbs

If you’re coming from Newark to visit friends, family, or offices in the metro Atlanta suburbs, plan for extra travel time:

• South of ATL (College Park, East Point, Union City):

  • Shorter rideshare or taxi times
  • Some areas accessible via MARTA bus from the Airport Station

• North/East/West suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Duluth):

  • Often require a rental car, rideshare, or a mix of MARTA rail + rideshare
  • Rush hour traffic can add significant time

Newark to Atlanta by Car

Some people driving between Newark and Atlanta do so for:

• Long-term relocations
• Extended work assignments in Atlanta
• Moving households or bringing pets/large items

Approximate driving details:

• Distance: Around 850–900 miles
• Typical route: I‑78 W / I‑81 S / I‑77 S / I‑85 S into Atlanta
• Drive time: Often 13–15 hours without major delays

For Atlanta residents planning this drive:

• Expect heavy traffic near Atlanta during weekday rush hours
• Major interstates into the city: I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285 (Perimeter)
• If you’re moving here, check local parking or loading rules for Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead apartment buildings before arrival

Bus and Train Options Between Newark and Atlanta

For some travelers, flying is not preferred or possible. In those cases, you may see:

• Long-distance buses between the NYC/Newark region and Atlanta
• Mixed train-bus routes using intercity rail plus transfers

In Atlanta, key arrival points could include:

• Greyhound / intercity bus stations in or near Downtown
• Arts Center or Civic Center transit hubs, depending on the carrier

From there, you’d rely on:

• MARTA rail and buses
• Rideshare or taxi
• Walking if staying in central neighborhoods

Travel time on these options can be well over 18–24 hours, so they’re usually chosen for cost reasons or specific personal preferences.

Newark to Atlanta Travel: At-a-Glance Comparison

Understanding How Newark–Atlanta Travel Fits Atlanta Life

If you live in Atlanta but work with clients or family near Newark:

• The straightforward EWR–ATL route makes short work trips realistic.
• Many Atlanta-based professionals coordinate meetings in the New York/New Jersey metro area, then return home the same or next day.

If you’re relocating from Newark to Atlanta:

• Flying in first to explore neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead, or Decatur can help you decide where to live.
• A separate drive later with belongings is common, especially for families.

If you’re hosting visitors from Newark:

• Share simple instructions like:
  • “Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)”
  • “Take MARTA Red or Gold northbound from the Airport to Peachtree Center if you’re staying Downtown”
  • Or “Use rideshare from the airport to [your neighborhood]—usually 15–35 minutes depending on where you are.”

Key Atlanta Transit Resources When Arriving from Newark

For anyone landing in Atlanta from Newark, the most helpful local systems to know are:

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

• Main rail access from the airport into the city
• Airport Station is at the end of the Red and Gold Lines
• Serves Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and parts of north metro

MARTA Headquarters (administrative location):

• 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Customer service numbers are usually posted on station signs and ticket machines.

Hartsfield-Jackson Ground Transportation Center

Once you deplane from Newark:

• Follow signs for Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation
• Look for clearly marked areas for:
  • MARTA Rail
  • Rideshare Pickup
  • Hotel shuttles
  • Rental Car Center (via SkyTrain)

Tips for a Smoother Newark–Atlanta Trip

• Land earlier if you need same-day meetings in Atlanta. Morning arrivals give more buffer for Atlanta’s traffic and any airport delays.
• Use MARTA if you’re staying near a station. For Downtown and much of Midtown, it’s usually the simplest option directly from the airport.
• Account for Atlanta traffic. If you’re renting a car after flying in from Newark, plan extra time during weekday peaks and around major events (sports, concerts, conventions).
• Confirm your arrival airport with visitors. Make sure friends or coworkers from Newark are flying into ATL, not another regional airport.

By understanding how the Newark-to-Atlanta route connects into Atlanta’s airport, transit, and neighborhoods, you can plan trips, visits, and relocations with fewer surprises and smoother connections once you’re on the ground in Atlanta, Georgia.